Story Quilts
: A craft-based project with individuals experiencing homelessness, their communities, and local shelters
In workshops, participants made elements that became the basis for a series of story quilts in support of housing rights. The prompt was to self-represent, tell the story of temporary community, or share an experience.
In 2020, Feral Fabric pivoted to distributing Sew & Mend DIY Kits around the Bay Area when workshops beame impossible during lockdown. Made using donated and upcycled fabrics, the kits contained everything recipients needed to make a textile craft project during this period of isolation, and doubled as tools to repair clothes, tents, or anything else made of fabric.
The Story Quilt project’s final exhibition of quilt tops and related work was shown in the windows of Pro Arts Gallery in downtown Oakland, which at the time was also functioning as a covid testing center.
This project was supported by volunteers, an Individual Artist Grant from the City of Berkeley, and material donations from Social Justice Sewing Academy.
Feral Fabric (with Amanda Walters)
2020-2022
1. Untitled (Story Quilt 1). South County Homeless Project, Hayward. 2020-2022. Mixed textile media. Approx 305 x 366 cm (10 x 12’)
2. Untitled (Story Quilt 2). Here/There Camp, Berkeley / Oakland. 2020-2022. Mixed textile media.Approx 62 x 90 cm (24 x 36”)
3. Untitled (Story Quilt 3). Women’s Daily Drop-In Center, Berkeley. 2020-2022. Mixed textile media. Approx 60 x 60 cm (24 x 24”)
2. Untitled (Story Quilt 2). Here/There Camp, Berkeley / Oakland. 2020-2022. Mixed textile media.Approx 62 x 90 cm (24 x 36”)
3. Untitled (Story Quilt 3). Women’s Daily Drop-In Center, Berkeley. 2020-2022. Mixed textile media. Approx 60 x 60 cm (24 x 24”)
4-6. Workshop documentation
7. In Solidarity flag. Mixed Textile media. 2022. Approximately 24 x 24" (60 x 60 cm)
8. Kit distribution in Oakland 2021. Hosted by partner Punks with Lunch.
9. Untitled (Housing Is a Human Right Tarp). 2022. Industrial tarp. 305 x 366 cm (10 x 12’)
7. In Solidarity flag. Mixed Textile media. 2022. Approximately 24 x 24" (60 x 60 cm)
8. Kit distribution in Oakland 2021. Hosted by partner Punks with Lunch.
9. Untitled (Housing Is a Human Right Tarp). 2022. Industrial tarp. 305 x 366 cm (10 x 12’)
10-12. Installation at ProArts Gallery, Oakland. 2022 (detail, interior & exterior view)
13. Workshop Flyer
14. Drawing made at South County Homeless Project, Hayward. 2020
15-19. Sew & Mend DIY Kit. Kits contained a mix of fabrics, sewing materials, glue, and sew/mend instructions booklet with a poster printed on the back.
13. Workshop Flyer
14. Drawing made at South County Homeless Project, Hayward. 2020
15-19. Sew & Mend DIY Kit. Kits contained a mix of fabrics, sewing materials, glue, and sew/mend instructions booklet with a poster printed on the back.
17. Untitled (canvas patch) The kits also included a large screen-printed patch (approx 14” square) advocating for housing rights
19. Extra-large kits being assembled for Bay Area family homeless shelters, so families could decorate the door to their room. 2022
20. Workshop documentation
19. Extra-large kits being assembled for Bay Area family homeless shelters, so families could decorate the door to their room. 2022
20. Workshop documentation
Project partners:
Womens Daytime Drop-In Center Berkeley, South Country Homeless Project Hayward, Here/There Camp Berkeley.
Distribution partners: West Oakland Punks with Lunch, The Village Free Store, Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency Family Homeless Shelter in Berkeley, and Raphael House Family Homeless Shelter, San Francisco.
Sewing Volunteers: Maureen O’Neill, Morgan Baxter, and Rosemary Sallee.
Material donations: Social Justice Sewing Academy.
This work was made possible with the generous support of crowd-funded donations, and an Artist Grant from the City of Berkeley
Womens Daytime Drop-In Center Berkeley, South Country Homeless Project Hayward, Here/There Camp Berkeley.
Distribution partners: West Oakland Punks with Lunch, The Village Free Store, Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency Family Homeless Shelter in Berkeley, and Raphael House Family Homeless Shelter, San Francisco.
Sewing Volunteers: Maureen O’Neill, Morgan Baxter, and Rosemary Sallee.
Material donations: Social Justice Sewing Academy.
This work was made possible with the generous support of crowd-funded donations, and an Artist Grant from the City of Berkeley